Edward J.
Merchant
Partner
Practice Areas:
- Civil Litigation
- Police & Fire Representation
- Criminal Defense
- Estates, Wills & Guardianships
- Administrative & Disciplinary Hearings
- Business Transactions
- Legislation & Lobbying
- Labor Law
- Appellate Practice
Edward J. Merchant is an established trial lawyer and trusted advisor who represents individuals and organizations on a variety of legal matters. A life-long Hoosier, Ed serves his clients with the highest level of professionalism, skill and integrity. He was named a partner of the firm in January, 2014.
A graduate of both IU undergrad and law school, Ed counsels clients in a variety of legal areas. In addition to a significant litigation and disciplinary practice, he also works extensively in the areas Estates, Wills and Guardianships, as well as Business Transactions.
Education
- Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana
- J.D. - 2006
- Indiana University, Bloomington
- B.S. - 2003
Bar Admissions
- Indiana, 2007
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2007
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2007
Professional Associations & Memberships
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Committee, 2015
- Indianapolis Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Board of Directors
- Fraternal Order of Police, Indianapolis Lodge #86, Associate Member
- Indiana University Alumni Association, Life Member
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Herman B. Wells Leadership Award, 2003
- Lawrence A. Jegen Tax Award, 2006
Classes & Seminars Taught
- National Fraternal Order of Police Legal Counselor's Seminar, Presenter - Beyond the Basics of a Controversial Police Action Shooting (2019), Garrity Rights and Related Topics: Cases and Strategies (2017), Department of Justice Investigations (2015), Police Encounters with the Medically and Mentally Ill (2014)
- Law Enforcement Critical Incident Response, Hamilton County Drug Task Force, Fishers, Indiana, 2014
- Protecting your Rights in Civil and Criminal Investigations, 2013
- Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police Conference, Annual Presenter, Clarksville, Indiana, 2013
- Indiana Association of Firefighters - Annual Conference, Bloomington, Indiana, 2013
- The Perils of Social Networking, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police State Conference, Clarksville, Indiana, 2011
Representative Cases
- Indiana Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) v. Bryson
- Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board v. Comer
- Board of Works & City of Lake Station, et al. v. Taylor
- Evans v. Poskon, et al.
- Neuhausel v. City of Indianapolis, et al.
- Pennington v. City of Indianapolis, et al
- Sturm v. Hedges
- In Re: Dinnsen & Howard